Michael Penix Jr.’s Heisman candidacy snuck up on people last season. That included his own marketing department as Washington only began to push Penix’s case in the national media after a 50-31 regular season-ending victory over Washington State in which Penix threw for 485 yards with 5 total TDs.
Washington’s Athletic Department rectified that situation this offseason with a frequent push of the Heisman narrative ever since Penix announced last December that he would forego the NFL Draft to return to school for a 6th and final season. That decision wasn’t expected but was certainly welcomed by all within the program.